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Aerospace Engineering MEng

Start date
September
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
H402
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025/26:
£9,535 (UK)
£29,560 (International)
Further fee information

If you like challenges and problem solving and relish the idea of combining science, maths and engineering to develop new technologies, processes and materials for the aerospace industry, then this Aerospace Engineering MEng degree is for you.

 You will be taught by academics that are experts in their field and have been at the forefront of progress in several areas, including the Cassini-Huygens mission and the design and development of high-performance jet engines. This, together with the strong collaborations we enjoy with leading companies such as Rolls-Royce, will give you the best launch pad for a successful career.

The Aerospace Engineering MEng course is structured to give you a broad coverage of engineering disciplines appropriate to the current and future aerospace industry and research areas. Key topics include maths, mechanics, fluid mechanics, electronics, flight dynamics, design, and materials science, which provide a basis for aircraft and space vehicle design and operation. Depending on your study choices, you will be supported in gaining the skills necessary to transform the emerging fields of satellite, deep space missions and uncrewed aerial vehicles where remote control and long-distance communications are required.

There is an exciting practical element to the course. You will put theory into practice with flight exercises in a custom-built flight simulator to learn about aircraft handing qualities followed by flights in a real aircraft, specially instrumented to capture flight data. You will have the opportunity to take part in exciting national competitions. A group of our 4th year students won the Royal Aeronautical Society's Light Aircraft Design Competition 21-22 and made a video about their project.

The interdisciplinary nature of the subject is dealt with by shared modules in all years as well as group project exercises. Students can develop a specialism (e.g. materials or communications) but this is based on broad coverage to enable you to embark upon good careers in the aeronautical and space industries.

You will be the subject expert on a major project during the final year of your degree where you’ll apply your in-depth technical knowledge. In these projects, you’ll gain vital employability skills that will give you a competitive edge in applications forms, interviews and assessment tests for graduate jobs.

There is an opportunity to apply for a year in industry during your degree, usually between Year 2 and Year 3. Academic members of staff will help you to find suitable internships, review your application materials, and assist and mentor you throughout your year in industry. A year in industry is an invaluable opportunity to take on a role within a company, apply the theoretical knowledge of your degree course to real-world issues and will enhance your career prospects. Contact the Admissions Team for further details.

An additional year studying abroad is possible, as well as opportunities to add an intercalated year in Computer Science or Business Studies.

Why study Aerospace Engineering MEng at Birmingham?

  • Accredited by IOM3 and the Royal Aeronautical Society
  • New facilities, including flight simulators and wind tunnels
  • Practical flying experience
  • New central teaching laboratory to get hands-on skills related to engineering
  • An opportunity to apply for an industrial placement or overseas study
  • Opportunities for intercalated years in Computer Science or Business Studies at the University
 

Meet Hannah

Hannah, head and shoulders photoHannah is a 3rd year Aerospace Engineering student and will be regularly blogging about her experiences studying at Birmingham. When she’s not studying, she spends time socialising with her friends and family. In her spare time, Hannah likes reading, trying new coffee shops in the area, taking part in student societies, and organising events for the AeroSoc society

Read Hannah's blogs >> 

Royal Aeronautical Society logo

Accredited degree

Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Learn more about accreditation.

IOM3 logo

This Aerospace Engineering course is a four-year Master of Engineering (MEng) degree, we also offer a three-year Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree version too.

We also have degree programmes available in:

The aerospace course at Birmingham is very diverse and multidisciplinary. Its taught by both the School of Engineering and the School of Metallurgy and Materials and so allows you to take modules in different engineering disciplines including mechanical, materials, and electrical engineering. Unlike other degrees in aerospace engineering, you can study spacecraft engineering alongside terrestrial aviation as early as year 2, whereas most other aerospace degrees only offer spacecraft content as optional modules in the final years of the degree.

Lamyea Ahmed, MEng Aerospace Engineering

Modules

Year 1

All modules 20 credits.

  • Electrical and Magnetic Engineering
  • Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainability
  • Mathematics and Computing for Engineers
  • Mechanics and Structures
  • Practical and Design Skills for Aerospace
  • Thermodynamics Kinetics and Fluids

Year 2

All modules are 20 credits.

  • Aerodynamics and Propulsion
  • Aerospace Electrical Power and Control
  • Aerospace Experimentation, Simulation and Practice
  • Aircraft Design and Flight Mechanics
  • Fracture, Fatigue and Degradation
  • Space System Engineering and Design

There is an opportunity to apply for a year in industry during your degree, usually between Year 2 and Year 3. Academic members of staff will help you to find suitable internships, review your application materials, and assist and mentor you throughout your year in industry. A year in industry is an invaluable opportunity to take on a role within a company, apply the theoretical knowledge of your degree course to real-world issues and will enhance your career prospects. Contact the Admissions Team for further details.

Year 3

Core modules

  • Aerospace Individual Project - 40 credits
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis for Aerospace - 20 credits
  • Flight dynamics and control - 20 credits
  • Space Mission Analysis and Design - 20 credits

Optional modules

Select 20 credits. Examples of optional modules are listed below:

  • Air Vehicle Performance - 10 credits
  • Air Safety Lessons Learnt - 10 credits
  • Battery Technology and Manufacturing - 10 credits
  • Communication Systems for Aerospace A - 10 credits
  • High Performance Aerospace Materials - 10 credits
  • Materials for Electric Propulsion - 10 credits

Year 4

Core modules

  • Aerospace Group Project - 60 credits

Optional modules

Select 60 credits. Examples of optional modules are listed below:

  • Advanced Aerodynamic and Aeroelastic Analysis - 20 credits
  • Aerospace Structural Analysis - 20 credits
  • Human Factors in Aerospace - 20 credits
  • Satellite Communications - 20 credits
  • Sensing and Control for Autonomous Systems - 20 credits
  • Space Environment - 20 credits
  • Space Propulsion and Power Systems - 20 credits
  • Virtual and Mixed Reality Design and Technologies - 20 credits

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to core modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Annual tuition fees 2025/26

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

  • £9,535
  • £29,560 - International

Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

  

Tuition fees for placement years (where applicable)

There is a reduced tuition fee for the academic year spent in industry or whilst studying abroad (where available). Fee information and further clarification is available on the University fees and funding page.

How To Apply

Apply through the UCAS website using code H402.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

View advice on how to apply for undergraduate courses.

 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAA
Required subjects and grades:
A Level Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry.
General Studies:
not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma

6,6,6 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and Physics, with a minimum of 32 points overall. Standard English language requirements apply.

BTEC

BTEC only considered when combined with other qualifications. We would require 2 A levels (Mathematics and Physics) plus the BTEC.

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements.

Foundation Year

Are you a UK student and would like to study for one of our degrees but lack the entry qualifications we require? If you are not studying A Level Mathematics you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We accept a range of international qualifications, please contact the admissions tutor for more information.

  

Standard English language requirements apply, learn more about international entry requirements.

 

International students applying for this programme will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before the University can issue you with a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS). We recommend that you apply for your ATAS certificate as soon as you receive an offer from us.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

Our MEng and BEng Aerospace Engineering students experienced a series of flight exercises as part of their degree.

Aerospace practical flight exercises

Programmes at Birmingham combine teaching from lecturers who are global experts in their field, with leading-edge teaching facilities and laboratories to enhance your learning experience. We have strong partnerships with key employers who provide projects and work placements for our students and regularly recruit our graduates.

How you will learn

Our programmes include lectures, practicals and case studies, group and individual research projects and the development of transferrable skills to give you access to a wide range of careers. At Birmingham, we advocate an enquiry-based learning approach, so from the outset you’ll be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner – qualities much sought-after by employers.

There are many opportunities for industrial internships and placements within the School during the summer, giving you the chance to put your skills into practice.

The third and fourth years will allow you to gain specialist knowledge in areas that most interest you, such as aerospace, biomaterials and computer simulations. You will also take part in a group research project during your third year. MEng students will undertake an individual project in their final year.

How you will be assessed

Assessment is through a mixture of written exams and continually assessed coursework. 

As well as end-of-year exams and written assignments, assessment methods include oral presentations, computer-based tests, laboratory and project reports. Each module is assessed independently and most contain some components of continuous assessment. Some modules are completely assessed by either examination or coursework.

Your personal tutor

As soon as you join us, you’ll be assigned a personal tutor who will remain with you throughout your studies to help you in three important areas: supporting your academic progress, developing transferable skills and dealing with any welfare issues.

Seminars and tutorials

Small-group tutorials and personal tutorials run alongside the lecture course and are aimed at addressing any individual problems you may have and allowing you to consolidate the lecture material, as well as testing your understanding through problem-solving exercises.

Lecturers and world-leading researchers

You’ll be taught by a mixture of professors, doctors and postgraduates, thus giving you a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. Our lecturers are not only experts in their field; they are passionate about passing on their expertise. All our researchers work at the cutting edge, often at intermediate technology readiness levels, delivering new materials technology to industry for inclusion in their products.

Resources and facilities

Our School is part of the largest centre for materials research in the UK. Our facilities provide you with the best possible environment to grow and succeed. Our first-class teaching and laboratory facilities include state-of-the-art study spaces and computer suites where we use the latest educational technologies to reinvent lab classes and showcase the fundamental principles behind materials engineering.

Contact Hours

You can expect an average of about 20-25 hours of contact time per week, comprising approximately 5 hours of laboratory based activity, 14 hours of lectures and 4 hours of small-group teaching (tutorials). As you progress through the programme, an increasing amount of time will be devoted to project-based learning.

The broad range of topics covered and the emphasis on problem solving activities in the later years will equip graduates for careers in design, manufacture and operation of aerospace structures from traditional airframes and aero engines to emerging fields such as UAVs and satellites. The programme will prepare suitably able graduates for higher research degrees in these field as well. You could also pursue careers and research opportunities in non-aerospace areas where expertise in advanced materials, manufacturing, structures, aggressive environments and remote communication and control are important.

Where can Aerospace Engineering take you?

Hear from alumnus Daniel about studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Birmingham and where the programme could take you:

Video transcript

Rolls-Royce has recruited a significant number of students from Birmingham at both graduate and postgraduate level. Undergraduates are able to experience real life industrial situations via vacation attachments in the company. We are very pleased with the quality of Birmingham graduates. They are stimulating change and making an impact on the output of the Materials Group. They possess a good balance of technical, interpersonal and IT skills.

Mike Hicks, Chief Technologist-Materials, Rolls-Royce

Careers Network

We provide a wealth of opportunities to develop your career. From your first day at Birmingham to after you graduate, the Careers Network  is here to help you identify and achieve your individual career aspirations through its wide range of services.

Our dedicated careers team brings you information, advice and guidance tailored to your specific needs. Careers advisers offer one-to-one advice appointments where you can discuss your career plans and explore your options. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Visit the Careers Network website for more details

Professional Accreditation

Royal Aeronautical Society logo

Accredited degree

Accredited by the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Learn more about accreditation.

IOM3 logo